JP4288183B2 - Drive system that reduces polygon effects in continuous drive chains of escalators and moving walkways - Google Patents

Description

Detailed description

  The present invention relates to a drive system for an escalator and a walking sidewalk.

  It is generally known that escalators or moving walkways are driven indirectly or directly by electric motors. In the case of direct drive, at least one speed reducer is provided, which may be provided with a power divider, if necessary, to drive escalators or moving walkway components together in certain parts of this divider. May be. Such components are steps or pallet bands and handrails as needed and unless separate drive means are provided. Usually, a step or pallet band is moved by a plate link chain, and its direction of movement is changed in a reversal zone by a chain wheel-shaped reversing element provided in that zone. The main requirement for escalators and moving walkways is that the step or pallet band can be reversed without undesirable polygonal effects, and that the step or pallet band and handrail are driven synchronously when driven simultaneously. It is to prevent a passenger from traveling at a risk of causing harm to one passenger traveling at a higher or lower speed than the other component.

  To optimize the drive system concept, a plate link chain may be used for the step or pallet band, depending on the step or pallet band, a larger pitch, for example about 200 or about 400 mm. Have However, such desirable large chain pitch can cause problems with polygon effects during reversal, and in some cases, problems with synchronous handrail drive.

  More generally known are so-called escalators and moving walkways that are intended for indoor use, for example in department stores, etc., which have a drive chain, in which a relatively small force is applied. In consideration, the step studs or pallet studs include rollers that cooperate with the step or pallet band and are arranged in individual seam regions of the drive chain. However, during the reversing of the reversing chain, the existing polygon effect causes problems, especially at larger chain pitches.

  German Patent Publication DE-A 19 849 236 discloses a method and device for guiding a chain, particularly in the region of the chain wheel of a continuous conveyor system, such as an escalator or a moving walkway. Guiding is performed by feeding the chain in a linear direction to the respective chain wheel or drive wheel. According to this, after the first element of the first chain link of the chain strand is engaged with the chain wheel or drive wheel, a continuous adaptation of the effective chain radius is achieved, which keeps the chain strand at a constant speed. Realized while setting. Desirably, the chain wheel or the drive wheel may receive a chain stud, particularly with a reduced external area, in which at least one rail-like guide profile is arranged, which is the chain wheel or drive wheel. Are lined up directly.

  While this measure can effectively reduce the polygonal effect, it is both very laborious to build it in the front of the reversing wheel and in that region.

From European patent publication EP-A 0 711 725 a similar device is known for guiding a band continuum of escalators or moving walkways. In this band continuum, the chain roll is guided by the support rail with the runway and the balance rail with the runway. At the entrance of the chain wheel that reverses the band continuum, these chain rolls travel from the straight runway of the support rail to the curved runway of the counter rail and from here to the tangential point to engage the chain wheel. From the runway of the support rail to the tangential point, the chain roll is guided in a direction orthogonal to the running direction. In other words, it is guided towards the chain wheel over a distance in a direction transverse to the direction of travel, and the chain wheel has the advantageous effect of running the band continuum quietly.

  This special curved shape of the connecting parts further reduces the polygonal effect. As the escalator or moving walkway chain is reversed by the chain wheel, polygonal effects and rotational effects occur, which prevent the escalator or moving walkway from running quietly. This polygonal effect is caused by the polygonal base of the chain on the chainwheel. As the rotation angle increases, the effective radius of the chain wheel changes, whereby the speed of the chain varies between a maximum value and a minimum value. When engaging the chain wheel, the chain roll and the teeth of the chain wheel will have different velocities, thereby creating an impact. The effect of rotation is caused by polygonal motion, which is transmitted from the chain wheel to the chain link and further to the step or pallet.

  After the chain is delivered from the chain wheel, this polygonal movement is temporarily maintained by the inertia of the system, which causes so-called chain curl. When the chain guide component is provided, the polygonal motion is reduced by the friction of the chain due to each impact generated by the chain and the guide portion.

The following document discloses a chain drive as used in the field of general pedestrian conveyors.

Thus, US Pat. No. 4,498,890 discloses a chain drive having a drive chain, the direction of motion of which can be changed by a reversing part in its end section. These chain links have a plate shape and have rolling elements in their connection areas. In the upstream and downstream portions of the individual reversing parts, idealized and narrowed guiding portions are arranged to drive the respective plates so as to be separated from the respective passages.

British Patent No. 354,169 describes a continuous conveyor whose chain and conveying means are reversed in various planes. A guide for a chain or a roller cooperating with the chain can be optionally provided. Finally, in the area of the drive, means for correcting the initial stress of the chain can be provided between the drive and the reversing component.

From GB 422,184 a drive system for a conveyor is known, according to which each roller cooperating with the chain is driven in the direction of a spherical cap that receives the roller and before entering the reversing part. It is driven by a guide section formed in a special shape.

Finally, German Patent No. 443192 discloses a drive means for a long link conveyor chain. According to this, an idealized and narrowed guide part is also provided before the conveyor chain enters each reversing part, and this guide part presents the same problems as for US Pat. No. 4,458,890. Yes.

The present invention aims to provide a novel drive system for escalators and moving walkways. Escalators and moving walkways are particularly equipped with plate link chains with a large pitch and can change the direction of movement with minimal polygonal effects in the area of reversing parts . This can be achieved in both the inlet and outlet regions of the respective drive chain.

This object is achieved by a drive system for escalators and for moving walkways, the system, at least one drive motor can be selected whether to cooperate with the gear, stepping each be formed as a plate link chain At least one drive chain having a pitch using a maximum of two links per stage or pallet, a plurality of reverse components for the drive chain, and the speed of the drive chain and its components in the vicinity of each reverse component With a device for correction in the inlet and / or outlet area. One or more chain links or one or more rollers / chain rolls cooperating with the drive chain can be guided in the area of the reversing part so as to be disengaged from the respective direction of movement to a pre-settable extent. Deceleration / acceleration is performed to reduce overall speed fluctuations in the drive chain entry and / or exit areas.

  Advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the associated dependent claims.

  Compared to the state of the art, according to the object of the present invention, it is possible to effectively reduce the speed difference between the drive chain and the reversing part in the inlet area, while also in the outlet area as desired. It is. On the other hand, in one or more chain links, at least one roller or chain roll of the drive chain moves away from the respective direction of movement, preferably before entering or retreating from the reversing part formed as a chain wheel. It is possible to make it. The inlet / outlet area cannot be considered as a point, which spans a defined area before or after each reversing part, depending on the pitch of the chain.

  Depending on the phase position of the chainwheel, the speed is affected by changes in radius. Thus, the desired constant speed is corrected. To drive escalators and moving sidewalk chains, the chain is typically guided over a passage before entering the chain wheel, which passage is of almost constant curvature in the state of the art.

  The present invention takes advantage of the fact that it can affect the position of the upstream chain link / chain roll or roller as a function of the phase position of the chain wheel. In such positions where the speed of the chain increases geometrically due to the engagement of the chain, the upstream or downstream passage relative to the position of the one or more chain links, the respective rollers or the respective chain rolls mentioned above. It influences the curved shape to achieve deceleration / acceleration, thereby reducing overall speed variation in the drive chain inlet / outlet area. At the same time, equalization of the polygon effect can be obtained. This is because the speed adjustment no longer feels as an impact by the user of the escalator or moving walkway. Quiet operation of escalators or moving walkway components is facilitated and the service life can be extended considerably. The polygonal effect is caused by an increase in the chain pitch of the step or the pallet chain, which adversely affects the reversing parts formed as chain wheels, and optionally also adversely affects handrails. Is almost eliminated by the subject matter of the present invention. Therefore, the economically superior effect (reduction in chain price) due to the large chain pitch can be efficiently incorporated into the existing drive system.

  A chain pitch that is practically equivalent to that of the state of the art is realized by three chain links of about 133 mm for each step or pallet, resulting in a length of about 400 mm that a normal step or pallet tread has. On the other hand, the number of outer peripheral teeth of the reversing part may be adapted, for example, z = 17, but this may be various values depending on the diameter of each reversing part. Due to the high elasticity of the drive chain, if z ≧ 19 and a small pitch is provided at high speed, the polygonal effect can be practically ignored when sizing the chain. However, chain wheels with z <17 should only be provided on manual or low speed chains.

  In principle, the pitch of the chain can be expanded in two stages. Under the same conditions (the length of the tread or pallet tread is about 400mm), the other chain pitch that can be used will be 200mm on the one hand and 400mm on the other hand. That is, there are two links for each step or pallet, or one link for each step or pallet. Correspondingly, the number of teeth of the reversing part used, in particular the chain wheel, is in this case only about z = 12 or z = 6 (depending on the diameter of the reversing part).

  The subject matter of the present invention may in principle be used on any kind of escalator or moving walkway, but preferably on an escalator or moving walkway drive chain that can be used inside a building. Thus, not only can the effect of a large chain pitch be obtained, but the polygonal effect can be reduced simply by combining it with appropriate means, which makes it economical, especially with respect to department store escalators and moving walkways. Brings an interesting formula.

  The subject matter of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows the reversal area of the escalator just shown. A drive chain 1 is shown, which is in the form of a plate link chain and in this embodiment has a plurality of chain rolls 2. The moving direction of the chain roll 2 is changed to the direction indicated by the arrow while the chain roll is arranged in the corresponding recess 3 of the reversing component 4 formed as a chain wheel. When engaged with the chain wheel, the teeth of the chain roll 2 and the chain wheel 4 have different speeds, which causes an impact. The effect of this rotation is caused by angular motion, and this angular motion is transmitted from the chain wheel 4 to the chain link and further transmitted to the step (not shown) of the escalator. Even after the drive chain 1 runs out of the chain wheel 4, this angular movement is temporarily maintained by the inertia of the system, which causes the so-called curl of the drive chain 1.

  This is indicated by the up and down arrows. In the case where a chain guide part is provided, this angular movement is reduced by the friction of the chain due to the respective impacts generated by the drive chain 1 and the guide means. These impacts are noticeable by noise, but the escalator user may be frustrated because he does not know what these are.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a drive system according to the present invention that can be used, for example, in an escalator. Only the main components are shown in the figure, and they are a plate link chain 1 including a chain roll 2, a reversing part 4 formed as a chain wheel and having a guide groove 5 for the chain roll 2. According to the present invention, the guide path 6 is provided before the chain roll 2 enters the reversing component 4, and in this embodiment, for example, a curved high portion 7 is provided in this guide path. Since the direction of movement of the chain roll 2 is changed in the ascending direction in the area of this curved raised section 7, the chain rope is shortened in this area, thereby obtaining a speed change (v = undefined) in this area. It is done. The phase positions before and after the chain roll 2 enters the reversing component 4 are as shown. The subject of the present invention takes advantage of the following facts. That is, the fact that the position of the upstream chain roll 2, which is a function of the phase position of the reversing component 4, can be influenced. In such a position in which a high speed is geometrically predetermined by the engagement of the chain, at least one position of the chain roll 2 is influenced by the curved height 7 of the guide path 6 and decelerated. Alternatively, in order to achieve an increase in speed, the speed variation in the inlet zone 8 is also reduced, and thus the polygonal effect is also reduced.

  FIG. 3 shows another possibility for affecting the speed of the drive chain 1 ', which also has a chain roll 2'. Shown is a chain wheel 4 'having a guide groove 5' for a chain roll 2 'of a drive chain 1'. These chain rolls 2 'are guided by a guide path 6', which is provided in a linear direction in the entrance area of the drive chain 1 'towards the reversing part 4'. A curved device 7 'is provided between the guide path 6' and the reversing part 4 ', whereby the chain roll 2' descends from the direction of linear movement and thereby guides in the inlet section 8 '. It is accurately inserted into the groove 5 '. This method of reducing the polygonal effect can be used for both the drive chain 1 'with a chain pitch of 133m (number of teeth of the reverse rotation component = 17 =) and the chain pitch of p = 200mm (z = 12). Economic benefits arise when the chain pitch is> 133 mm due to the reduced cost of the chain.

  In FIG. 4, the guide path 6 ″ is shown in principle in the exit area of the reversing part for the drive chain 1, which guides the position of the chain roll 2 as a function of the phase angle φ of the chain wheel 4. Thinking and adapting it accordingly achieves noise reduction. For this reason, a plurality of heights 9 depending on the chain pitch are provided over a predeterminable interval I in the area of the guide path 6 ″. The height h of these heights 9 is a function of the phase angle φ of the chain wheel 4 and simulates the upward and downward movement of the drive chain 1 caused by the curl of the drive chain 1 in the exit area. The height h of the individual heights 9 can vary from the direction of movement of the drive chain 1 depending on the angular movement to be reduced, i.e. arbitrarily reduced in the direction of movement of the drive chain 1. be able to. Here, the interval I ′ of the high portion 9 is adapted to each chain pitch of the drive chain to be used.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a reversal area for the drive chain of the escalator. 1 is a schematic view of a drive system according to the present invention in relation to an entrance area of a drive chain. It is an enlarged view of the area where a drive chain enters into a reverse rotation part. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a guide passage in the exit area of the drive chain.

Claims (10)

At least one drive motor capable of selecting whether or not to cooperate with the gear, and at least one formed as a plate link chain and provided with a pitch using a maximum of two links for each step or pallet. Two drive chains, a reversing part for the driving chain, a guide path provided on the same side of the reversing part with respect to the driving chain, and a speed of the driving chain being reversed. device and the including of correcting at the inlet zone and / or exit zone in the vicinity of the part, a escalator and drive system for moving walkways, wherein the device has a curved altitude section, the curved-type high place portion to the drive chain is provided on the side facing the guide path, to guide the drive chain from the side facing the inside passage guiding, whereby the driving Choi Single or multiple chain links in emissions or singular or multiple rollers / chain roll, is in the region of the reversing part is guided so as to deviate from each moving direction to the extent possible pre-determined and deceleration / acceleration, drive system characterized by reduced overall your Keru variation of speed in the inlet zone and / or exit zone of the drive chain. The drive system of claim 1, before Symbol draft in channel, provided in the transport zone of the escalator or moving walkway, as seen from the direction of movement of the drive chain is arranged in front of each reversing part, said curved drive system comprising a benzalkonium reduces the effective chain length in the area of the guide path cooperates with the mold altitude section. Drive system, characterized in that in a drive system according to claim 1 or 2, prior Symbol curved altitude section, chain links or a possible guiding each roller / chain roll downward. The drive system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, individual reversing parts that engage the chain links, only each roller / chain rolls, its possible guide to deviate from its direction of movement before engagement A drive system characterized by that. The drive system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the guide path, said set to at least one outlet section of the reversing part vignetting, thereby, the chain rolls or Stile roll is connected to the drive chain Is capable of being guided in a predeterminable manner over a predeterminable distance so as to deviate from the respective movement direction. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and wherein the profile is provided in the guideway. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the profile, in accordance with the phase angle of the reverse component, device, characterized in that the adjustable positions of the chain roll or the step roll. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the profile is formed by a plurality of heights, the heights being spaced apart from each other in a predetermined manner when viewed from the direction of movement of the drive chain. A device characterized in that it is provided. 9. The apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein a distance between the high portions is adapted to a pitch of the drive chain. 10. The apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the height of the height portion is reduced when viewed from a moving direction of the drive chain.

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